Methods and systems for hose hanger apparatus

ABSTRACT

Various methods and systems are provided for a hose hanger apparatus comprising an attachment clip, an elastic support connected to the attachment clip, a carabiner assembly connector connected to the elastic support, and a carabiner assembly connected to the carabiner assembly connector.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/451,806, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AHOSE HANGER APPARATUS,” and filed on Oct. 21, 2021. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/451,806 claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/178,981, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A HOSEHANGER APPARATUS,” and filed on Apr. 23, 2021. The entire contents ofeach of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to hosesuspension systems for multi-unit vehicles.

BACKGROUND

In a railway car coupler system, a supporting device may be used forsuspending a glad hand of an air brake hose assembly from the couplersof railway vehicles. The supporting device, also called an air brakehose support or a hose strap, may be a metal chain whereby, one end ofthe chain may be connected to a fitting on the glad hand on a free endof the air hose and the other end may be connected to a fitting on thecoupler of the railway vehicle. When a glad hand fitting becomesdecoupled and the appropriate valves are not shut off, compressed air inthe hose may propel the glad hand, which in turn exerts a load on thestrap, referred to herein as “reaction force.” A chain support may notabsorb this energy when the glad hand fitting is decoupled, which maylead to increased reaction force. As a result, the full energy from thedecoupling may be delivered to the impact when the glad hand fittingstrikes the car or other machinery. The chain and connectors may also besusceptible to degradation (e.g., cracking), which may lead to the airhose being pulled along the trackway, or to the glad hand being caughtin wayside equipment resulting in degradation to the air brake hoseassembly. Thus, many commercially used hose hangers on vehicles may bereplaced frequently (e.g., every six months). Accordingly, there is ademand to provide air hose hangers with a greater useful life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are disclosed for systems for a longer lasting hose hanger.In one embodiment, a system for a hose hanger comprises an attachmentclip, an elastic support connected to the attachment clip, a carabinerassembly, and a carabiner assembly connector, wherein the carabinerassembly connector connected to the elastic support and the carabinerassembly.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure willbe apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like parts. It should be understood that the briefdescription above is provided to introduce in simplified form aselection of concepts that are further described in the detaileddescription. It is not meant to identify key or essential features ofthe claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely bythe claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, theclaimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve anydisadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood from reading thefollowing description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to theattached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hose hanger of one exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of the attachment clip of thehose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged side view of the attachment clip of the hosehanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged top view of the attachment clip of the hosehanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the elastic support of thehose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged side view of the elastic support of the hosehanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged top view of the elastic support of the hosehanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged perspective view of the carabiner assemblyconnector and the carabiner assembly of the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged top view of the carabiner assembly connectorof the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged side view of the carabiner assembly connectorand the carabiner assembly of the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged perspective view of the carabiner assemblyconnector of the hose hanger of the FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 shows an enlarged top view of the carabiner assembly connectorof the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged side view of the carabiner assembly connectorof the hose hanger of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged side view of two connected railroad carsillustrating two hose hangers of FIG. 1 supporting two adjacent airhoses attached to the two connected railroad cars.

FIGS. 1-16 are shown approximately to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various known multi-unit vehicles (e.g., freight trains, passengertrains, semi-trucks with trailers) may include pneumatically controlledbraking systems. Such braking systems may include air communicationhoses extending the entire length of the vehicle (e.g., from a firsttrain car to a second train car, from the tractor unit to thesemi-trailer of a semi-truck, etc.). These hoses may extend outwardlyfrom the front and/or back end of the units that comprise the multi-unitvehicle to adjacent vehicle units. For example, a first hose may extendfrom the back end of a railway engine car and connect to a second hoseextending from the front end of an adjacent freight car, with a thirdhose extending from the back end of the adjacent freight car to connectto a fourth hose extending from the front end of an adjoining freightcar, and so on within a freight train. The braking systems may furtherinclude glad hand connectors respectively attached to each end of eachair communication hose. Each glad hand connector may be connectable witha respective glad hand connector at the end of the air hose of anadjacent vehicle unit. This facilitates the communication of pressurizedair between adjacent units of the multi-unit vehicle and, thereby,operation of the local pneumatic braking system of each unit of themulti-unit vehicle. The air communication hoses may be constructed fromrubber or other suitable flexible materials and the glad hand connectorsmay comprise steel.

Hose hangers may be used to maintain these air communication hoses andglad hand connectors suspended above a path along which the vehiclesmove. Each hanger may be attached to an upwardly extending fitting onthe top of the glad hand connector and to a fitting extending downwardlyfrom a part of the vehicle (such as a coupler of a railroad car). Eachhose is thus suspended from the respective coupler in a manner such thatthe hose retains a certain desired freedom of movement with respect tothe coupler. The hanger may provide limited movement of the hose tofacilitate connection of the hose to the adjacent hose of the adjacentvehicle and movements of the vehicles. The hanger may be furtherconfigured to allow the hose to move as needed to avoid undesireduncoupling of the glad hand connectors of adjacent vehicles. The hangermay be further configured to allow movement of the hoses to facilitateuncoupling or disconnection when desired.

When adjacent vehicles are joined together, the respective glad handconnectors on the adjacent vehicles may be manually lifted by a workerto substantially horizontally extending aligned positions, connected toeach other, and then released. After being released, the connected gladhand connectors may move or fall downwardly, which may result in theconnection between the glad hands to be locked and secured. Morespecifically, when the glad hand connectors are in a horizontal orsubstantially horizontal position with respect to each other, the gladhand connectors are not locked into each other or secured together. Whenthe glad hand connectors move downwardly and are positioned at an anglewith respect to each other, the glad hand connectors become locked intoeach other and secured together. The hangers may block the respectivehoses and glad hand connectors from falling too low and engaging theground or path.

When adjacent vehicles, such as adjacent railroad cars, are separatedfrom each other, the glad hand connectors may be automaticallydisconnected without user input. More specifically, when the adjacentvehicles move apart from each other, the hoses and the glad handconnectors move upwardly from the locked or secured lower positiontoward a more horizontal or substantially horizontal position withrespect to each other to an unlocked position where the glad handconnectors are not locked into each other or secured together asexplained above. During this process, the pressurized air in the airhoses, that may range from about 60 to about 90 PSI, may result in thehoses and the glad hand connectors to forcefully move and snap apartfrom each other. For example, when a force of the air pressure isgreater than a force of the engagement between the glad hand connectors,the engagement force may decrease as the glad hand connectors moveupwardly more toward the unlocked, upper horizontal position. The forceof this disconnection between the glad hand connectors may result ineach of the hoses and the respective glad hand connectors to undergo anamount of movement. The hoses and the glad hand connectors may move inmultiple different directions. These movements, as a result of the forceof the disconnection, may be uncontrolled and/or unpredictable, and maysubject the hangers that hold the hoses and glad hand connectors torelatively extreme forces. While the respective hangers may partiallycontrol the movements of the hoses and glad hand connectors, when thisforceful disconnection occurs between the glad hand connectors, it maydegrade the hangers or parts thereof if the force is greater than athreshold force. In one example, the threshold force is based on anon-zero, positive number.

Inability to maintain rail car hoses at a desired height above the railstructure may lead to unintended air hose coupling separation, which maylead to an unintended braking event and stopping of the train andsometimes even derailment. The unintended braking event may betime-consuming and expensive due to a user (e.g., a crew member) walkingthe length of the train to identify and correct the uncoupling. When anuncoupled air hose is discovered, the crew member may reconnect thecoupling members or initiate a repair before returning to the engine.

While hose hangers comprising chain, steel cable, or webbing may beused, the present disclosure teaches an elastomeric strap materialconfigured to provide a more flexible connection than the chain, steelcable, or webbing. Elongated spring clips as fastener members may beprovided for attachment of one of the ends of the strap to the vehiclebody and the opposite end to an apertured fitting at the end of the airhose.

One issue with elongated spring clips was investigated following fieldservice reports of air hose support straps in train systems that haddegraded with bent or missing clips. The investigation revealed thatover 95% of clip degradation occurred to the clip connecting the bottomof the support strap to the air hose glad hand fitting. From analysis ofa number of clips produced by different manufacturers, it was observedthat the degradation was a result of the clip being strained on the longsides of the clip (lateral loading) instead of along the long axis ofthe clip (longitudinal loading). Lateral loading occurs when therailroad car coupler is in the buff position as occurs when it is notunder load. In this condition, the air hose support is slack, whichallows a clip of prior art design to slide along its length through theglad hand aperture. When the coupler returns to the neutral or draftposition, the load is applied to the side of the clip where it isweakest rather than its ends, bending the clip into an oblong or ovoidshape. Eventually, this causes the clip's locking integrity to be lost.

Thus, the hose hanger described herein provides a prolonged lifetime ascompared to the prior art by eliminating the possibility of crossloading (e.g., lateral and longitudinal loading). Further, the hosehanger of the present disclosure provides a simpler means of attachmentto the glad hand end as compared to the wire clips of the hose hangersof the prior art. Referring now to the drawings and particularly toFIGS. 1-16 , a hose hanger of an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure is illustrated. In this illustrated embodiment, the hosehanger is configured to be employed for hanging an air hose of arailroad car. However, it should be appreciated that the hose hanger ofthe present disclosure can be otherwise suitably employed (e.g., thehose hanger may be used to hang hoses of other systems, the hose hangermay hang air hoses of pneumatically controlled braking systems in othermulti-unit vehicles).

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in awide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure. Further, it should benoted that, the terms “first”, “second”, and the like in the descriptionand in the claims, are used to distinguish between similar elements anddo not tend to describe a particular sequential and chronological order.

FIGS. 1-16 will be described collectively. Referring now to FIG. 1 , itshows a perspective view 101 of a hose hanger 100 of one exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. The hose hanger 100 may becomprised of an attachment clip 200, an elastic support 300 connected tothe attachment clip 200, a carabiner assembly connector 400 connected tothe elastic support 300, and a carabiner assembly 500 connected to theelastic support 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment clip200 and carabiner assembly 500 may be connectable to a coupler of arailroad car and a glad hand of an air hose of a railroad car,respectively. In some embodiments, the attachment clip 200 and carabinerassembly 500 may be connectable to other components of a hose assembly.FIG. 2 is a side view 201 of the hose hanger 100 and FIG. 3 is a topview 301 of the hose hanger 100.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5 , they show an enlarged perspective view401 of the attachment clip 200 of the hose hanger 100 and an enlargedside view 501 of the attachment clip 200, respectively. The attachmentclip 200 may be shaped into a modified V with hooked ends that mayinterlock. The attachment clip 200 may include a first arm 210, a secondarm 240, and an arm connector 270 connecting the first arm 210 and thesecond arm 240. The first arm 210 may include an elongated first member212 and a hook 213 integrally connected to and extending transversely tothe first member 212. The hook 213 may include a first curved section214 integrally connected to the first member 212, a first straightsection 216 integrally connected to the first curved section 214, asecond curved section 218 integrally connected to the first straightsection 216, and a second straight section 220 integrally connected tothe second curved section 218. The second arm 240 may include anelongated first member 242 and a lock (not separately labeled)integrally connected and extending transversely to the first member 242.The lock may include a first straight section 244 integrally connectedat a slight angle to the first member 242, a first curved section 246integrally connected to the first straight section 244, and a secondstraight section 248 integrally connected to the first curved section246.

The elongated first member 242 may extend through a hook of the of thefirst arm 210, wherein the hook is shaped via the first straight section216, the second curved section 218, and the second straight section 220.A hook of the second arm 240, shaped via the first straight section 244,the first curved section 246, and the second straight section 248, mayblock inadvertent separation of the first and second arms. By doingthis, the unintended stops described above may be avoided.

In FIGS. 1-6 , the attachment clip 200 is shown in the closed/lockedposition. FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view 601 of the attachment clip ofthe hose hanger in the closed/locked position. An open/unlocked positionmay include where the first arm 210 and the second arm 240 are apartfrom one another such that the hooks do not intersect with elongatedmembers of the opposing arm. The hook 213 of the first arm 210 may beconfigured to releasably hook on to and engage the second arm 240 whenthe attachment clip 200 is attached to a component (e.g., a part of acoupler of a railroad car) to secure the attachment clip 200 and thehose hanger 100 to the component. In the closed/locked position, thelock may prevent disengagement of the first arm 210 from the second arm240. The attachment clip 200 may be comprised of a suitable material ormaterials in accordance with the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the attachment clip 200 may be comprised of a resilientlybendable wire (e.g., a bendable steel wire). It should also beappreciated that the attachment clip 200 of the may be shaped ordesigned in other configurations in accordance with the presentdisclosure (e.g., a modified U-shape, triangular, so on).

Turning now to FIGS. 7-9 , FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view 701 ofthe elastic support 300 of the hose hanger 100, FIG. 8 is an enlargedside view 801 of the elastic support 300, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged topview 901 of the elastic support 300. The elastic support 300 may includea first section 310 and a second section 330 integrally connected to thefirst section 310. The first section 310 may include a plurality ofinner surfaces 320 a, 320 b, 320 c, 320 d, 320 e, 320 f, and 320 g thatdefine a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings may, in part,facilitate stretching of the first section 310. The openings may also beconfigured to receive an arm of the attachment clip 200 at differentpositions along the first section 310 (e.g., an arm of the attachmentclip 200 may be inserted through a first opening defined by surface 320a, an arm of the attachment clip 200 may be inserted through a secondopening defined by surface 320 b, and so on) to enable adjustment of theoverall length of the hose hanger 100 as desired.

The second section 330 may extend from the first section to a thirdsection 360. The third section 360 may include an inner surface 362 thatdefines an opening (not labeled). The opening may, in part, facilitatestretching of the third section 360. The opening may also be configuredto receive part of the carabiner assembly connector 400 (as shown inFIGS. 1-3 ) to enable attachment of the carabiner assembly connector 400to the elastic support 300. The first, second, and third sections of theelastic support 300 of hose hanger 100 may be integrally connected andmonolithically formed. The elastic support may be made from suitablematerials in accordance with the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the elastic support 300 may be comprised of a stretchablevulcanized rubber. Further, it should be appreciated that the elasticsupport 300 may be formed in other configurations in accordance with thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the elastic support 300 may becomprised of more or less than three sections. In some embodiments, theelastic support 300 may deviate from a uniform height.

In one example, the elastic support 300 is a high strength elastomerwith a tensile strength greater than a threshold tensile strength. Inone example, the threshold tensile strength is equal to about 4kilopounds per square inch (ksi). In one example, the elastic support300 includes a thermoplastic urethane.

The elastic support according to the present disclosure demonstrates animproved performance strength when subjected to a reaction force, ascompared to the examples in the prior art. Performance strength may beevaluated according to the Maximum Loat Test set forth in AAR standardS-4006.

According to standard S-4006, under section 4.2 Load Tests, a hose strapis required to meet certain load requirements. Under Permanent SetTests, the OAL length (the length of the strap plus the one end of theclip to the end of the other at the other end of the strap) of a testhose strap with 5 lbs attached is measured, “Initial Length,” then astraight load pull of 25 lbs is attached to the test hose strap for 120hours without stretching more than 1.0 inch. The load is then removed,the OAL length measured after a waiting period of less than 2 hours,“Length After 120 HR Load,” and the length compared to the InitialLength. The difference between the Initial Length and the Length After120 HR Load is known as the “Permanent Set” and should not exceed 0.5inches.

For meeting the Maximum Load Tests, a flexible hose strap capable ofstretching 10 or more inches must be able to lift 300 lbs off of theground for a minimum of ten times without tearing in a period of 15-20minutes. If the strap material is less flexible, and stretches less than10 inches, the test is required to be conducted with a heavier weight,set forth in the standard. To determine the stretch, the hose strap isloaded vertically with a 5 lb weight and its OAL length measured as“Length Base Measurement.” The 5 lb weight is removed and a 300 lb loadis attached to the hose strap and the OAL length measured as “LengthUnder 300 lb.” The difference between the two is the stretch. In thecase of a strap material stretching at least 10 inches, the hose strapmust be able to lift 300 lbs off of the ground for a minimum of tentimes without tearing in a period of 15-20 minutes. As noted in theStandard, more rigid materials are subjected to higher test loads. Theheavy load is then removed, and a 5 lb weight attached. The “PermanentSet” is then calculated by measuring the difference between the OALlength with the 5 lb weight attached and the Length Base Measurement.The Permanent Set must not exceed 0.5 inches.

A hose strap according to the present disclosure including the elasticsupport 300 was tested for permanent set test (PST) and maximum loadtest (MLT) according to AAR Standard S-4006 and was found to exceed therequirements. Four similar sample hose straps were tested and theresults are presented in Table 1 below

TABLE 1 Test Step Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Width 0.182 0.1820.182 0.182 Nominal (inches Thickness 0.1581 0.1568 0.1645 0.1651(inches) Tensile 6030 6140 5980 6470 strength at break (psi) Tensile 650640 670 710 elongation at break (%) Mean 6160 670 Standard 220 30Deviation

During the testing, to determine an integrity of the elastic support300, the elastic support was stretched via steel hooks to a length of120% of an initial rest state length. The stretched elastic support wassubjected to an ozone generator for 50 hours at 100° F. The stretchelastic support was then subjected to a 5% neutral pH salt fog at 95° F.for 168 hours. A coupling mechanism was passed through the elasticsupport, such as a carabiner, and from the coupling mechanism a 25 lbMweight was hung. After 120 hours, 20 lbM of the 25 lbM was removed andthe elastic support was measured.

The elastic support, following the stretching described above, wascoupled via the attachment clip 200 at a first end to a Morehouse loadcell. The elastic support, along with the attachment clip 200 wererepeatedly loaded an electric winch cable attached to a carabiner anchorat a second end, opposite the first end. The load applied to the elasticsupport was greater than 300 lbF and stretch the elastic support greaterthan a threshold extension. That is to say, the elastic support exhibitsa maximum load failure of greater than 300 lbs according to AmericanAssociation of Railroads (AAR) Standard S-4006. In one example, thethreshold extension was 10 inches. Following the repeated loading (e.g.,executed 10 or more times), the 5 lbM was hung from the elastic supportand it was again measured to determine its integrity.

A change in length of the elastic support was compared to a standardlength change dictated by the AAR. In one example, the standard lengthchange is equal to values greater than 0.5 inches. The elastic supportof the present disclosure displayed length changes between 0.438 inchesto 0.500 inches, thereby meeting the standards provided by the AAR.Sample 2 was not tested as it was used as a length gauge.

In one example, the hose hanger 100, which may include the elasticsupport comprising a tensile strength greater than or equal to 4 KSI anda material property elongation percent at break being greater than 640%,may include some advantages. For example, the combination of the tensilestrength and the material property elongation percent at break mayincrease a durability and a longevity of the hose hanger 100. Theelastic support may further reduce movement of the hose hanger 100.Whipping, oscillating and other movements due to wind, rail conditions,and the like may be reduced based on the combination of the tensilestrength and the material property elongation percent at break of theelastic support. Furthermore, contact between the hose hanger 100 anddebris may be reduced via the more stationary state of the elasticsupport.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-12 , FIG. 10 shows an enlarged perspective view1001 of the carabiner assembly connector 400 and the carabiner assembly500 of the hose hanger 100. FIG. 11 shows an enlarged top view 1101 ofthe carabiner assembly connector 400 and the carabiner assembly 500.FIG. 12 shows an enlarged side view 1201 of the carabiner assemblyconnector 400 and the carabiner assembly 500. The carabiner assemblyconnector 400 may be comprised of an elongated flexible member (e.g., anelongated flexible polyester web strap) connected by a plurality offasteners (e.g., rivets). The elongated flexible member may be loopedabout itself after attachment to the elastic support 300 and thecarabiner assembly 500. For example, the carabiner assembly connector400 may include an elongated flexible strap that forms a central section410, a first connector 440, and a second connector 470 when looped andsecured by fasteners.

As further shown in FIGS. 13-15 , the elongated flexible strap mayinclude a first portion 412, a second portion 414, a third portion 416,a fourth portion 418, and a fifth portion 420. FIG. 13 shows an enlargedperspective view 1301 of the carabiner assembly connector 400, FIG. 14is an enlarged top view 1401 of the carabiner assembly connector 400,and FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view 1501 of the carabiner assemblyconnector 400.

The central section 410 may include the first portion 412 of theelongated flexible strap, the third portion 416 of the elongatedflexible strap, and the fifth portion 420 of the elongated flexiblestrap. The central section 410 may also include a stitching configuredto securely connect the first portion 412, the third portion 416, andthe fifth portion 420 to each other when the elongated flexible strap islooped about itself after attachment to the elastic support 300 and thecarabiner assembly 500. The first connector 440 may be configured to beattached to the elastic support 300 and particularly to the thirdsection 360 of the elastic support 300. The first connector 440 mayinclude the fourth portion 418 of the elongated flexible strap and beconfigured to form a loop. The second connector 470 may be configured tobe attached to the carabiner assembly 500 and particularly to a ring 570of the carabiner assembly 500. The second connector 470 may include thesecond portion 414 of the elongated flexible strap and be configured toform a loop.

In some embodiments, the carabiner assembly connector 400 may besubstantially inelastic. In some embodiments, the carabiner assemblyconnector 400 may be partially elastic in accordance with the presentdisclosure. It should also be appreciated that the carabiner assemblyconnector 400 may be alternatively configured and sized in accordancewith the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the carabiner assemblyconnector 400 may be comprised of another suitable material that is notan elongated flexible strap. In some examples, the carabiner assemblyconnector 400 may be comprised of a coated wire. In some examples, thecarabiner assembly connector 400 may be comprised of a flexible braidedsteel wire. In some embodiments, the carabiner assembly connector 400,when in a looped and fastened configuration, may have an overall lengthbetween four to six inches. In some embodiments, the carabiner assemblyconnector 400, when in a looped and fastened configuration, may anothersuitable length (e.g., longer than six inches, shorter than fourinches).

In one example, the carabiner assembly connector 400 is a webbing. Thewebbing may comprise polyester. The webbing may be sewn, which mayincrease a tensile strength of the carabiner assembly connector 400. Thewebbing may comprise a length greater than 3 inches, a width greaterthan half an inch, and a thickness of about 0.05 inches. The tensilestrength may be configured to hold approximately 800 pounds.

Returning to FIGS. 10-12 , the carabiner assembly 500 may be comprisedof a carabiner 505 and a ring 570 connected to the carabiner 505. In oneexample, the ring 570 is crimped into the carabiner 505 to mitigatecross loading. The carabiner 505 may include a straight section 510, afirst curved section 520 connected at a first end of the straightsection 510, and a second curved section 530 at a second end of thestraight section 510. Further, the carabiner 505 may include a gateengagement member 550 pivotally connected by a pivot pin 560 to thefirst curved section 520 and biased by a spring (not shown) to a closedposition in contact with a gate engagement terminus 540 located at theend the second curved section 530. The ring 570 may be suitably fixedlyattached to the first curved section 520 (e.g., via welding, a boltsystem) and comprised of a suitable material (e.g., steel). In someembodiments, the carabiner assembly 500 may be D, oval, pear, orotherwise suitable shaped. In some embodiments, the gate engagementmember 550 of the carabiner assembly 500 may be straight, bent,comprised of a wiregate, or otherwise suitably designed to allow for thehose hanger 100 to be connected to a glad hand of an air hose of arailroad car or another functional component of a hose system assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 16 , it shows an enlarged side view 1601 of twounits of a multiunit vehicle illustrating two hose hangers as describedin FIGS. 1-15 supporting two adjacent air hoses attached to the twounits. A first vehicle unit 20 and a second vehicle unit 40 (e.g., tworailroads cars) are shown with respect to a path 10 (e.g., a railroadtrack). A first hose hanger 100 a may be used to support a first airhose 24 coupled to the first vehicle unit 20. The attachment clip 200 ofthe first hose hanger 100 a may attach to a fitting 30 extendingdownward from a coupler 22 of the first vehicle unit 20 and thecarabiner assembly 500 may attach to fitting 28 extending upward from aglad hand connector 26 attached to the first air hose 24 of the firstvehicle unit 20. In this position, the first air hose 24 is held in anelevated position relative to the ground (not shown), the path 10, andthe coupler 22 (e.g., closer to the coupler 22 than the path 10).Similarly, a second hose hanger 100 b may be used to support a secondair hose 44 coupled to the second vehicle unit 40. The attachment clip200 of the second hose hanger 100 b may attach to a fitting 50 extendingdownward from a coupler 42 of the second vehicle unit 40 and thecarabiner assembly 500 may attach to fitting 48 extending upward from aglad hand connector 46 attached to the second air hose 44 of the secondvehicle unit 40.

In this way, the hose hanger of the present disclosure may maintain airhoses at a desired height. For example, when utilized with cars of atrain, the hose hanger may maintain the end of air hoses involved inpneumatic braking a suitable distance above the track, with thecarabiner assembly eliminating the possibility of cross loading (e.g.,lateral and longitudinal loading). Thus, the hose hanger may have aprolonged life as compared to current hose hanger systems. Further, thehose hanger of the present disclosure provides a simpler method ofattachment to the glad hand end as compared to the wire clips of thehose hangers of the prior art. It should also be appreciated that thehanger of the present disclosure can be used in other implementations(e.g., for purposes other than hanging pneumatic braking system hoses)in the railroad industry and in other industries. It will be understoodthat modifications and variations may be effected without departing fromthe scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, and it isunderstood that this application is to be limited only by the scope ofthe claims.

FIGS. 1-16 show example configurations with relative positioning of thevarious components of the hose hanger disclosed herein. If showndirectly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elementsmay be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled,respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements showncontiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent toeach other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example,components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may bereferred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elementspositioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and noother components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. Asyet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at oppositesides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may bereferred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in thefigures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a“top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the elementmay be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least oneexample. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may berelative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describepositioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such,elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above theother elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of theelements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having thoseshapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded,chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersectingone another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersectingone another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shownwithin another element or shown outside of another element may bereferred as such, in one example. FIGS. 1-16 are drawn to scale althoughother relative dimensions may be used.

The disclosure provides support for a hose hanger including anelastomeric material with a material property tensile strength greaterthan 4 kilopound per square inch (KSI). A first example of the hosehanger further includes an attachment clip, wherein the elastomericmaterial is connected to the attachment clip, a carabiner assembly, anda carabiner assembly connector connected to the elastomeric material andthe carabiner assembly, wherein the elastic support includes: a firstsection; a second section integrally connected to the first section, anda third section integrally connected to the second section, and whereinthe elastic support is uniform in width. A second example of the hosehanger, optionally including the first example, further includes wherethe first section includes a plurality of inner surfaces that define aplurality of openings. A third example of the hose hanger, optionallyincluding one or more of the previous examples, further includes wherethe plurality of openings is configured to receive an arm of theattachment clip, and wherein the plurality of openings is arranged atdifferent positions along the first section. A fourth example of thehose hanger, optionally including one or more of the previous examples,further includes where the second section is a transition section thatis uniform in height from the first section toward and to the thirdsection, wherein the third section includes an inner surface thatdefines an opening configured to receive part of the carabiner assemblyconnector. A fifth example of the hose hanger, optionally including oneor more of the previous examples, further includes where the first,second, and third sections of the elastic support comprise a stretchablevulcanized rubber, and wherein the elastic support exhibits a maximumload failure of greater than 300 lbs, according to AAR Standard S-4006.A sixth example of the hose hanger, optionally including one or more ofthe previous examples, further includes where the carabiner assemblyconnector includes an elongated flexible member. A seventh example ofthe hose hanger, optionally including one or more of the previousexamples, further includes where the elongated flexible member isinelastic. An eighth example of the hose hanger, optionally includingone or more of the previous examples, further includes where theelongated flexible member includes an elongated flexible polyester webstrap. A ninth example of the hose hanger, optionally including one ormore of the previous examples, further includes where the elongatedflexible member includes a first portion, a second portion, a thirdportion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion, wherein the fourthportion is attached to the elastic support and the second portion isattached to the carabiner assembly, and wherein the first, third, andfourth portions are attached together via a stitching. A tenth exampleof the hose hanger, optionally including one or more of the previousexamples, further includes where the elongated flexible member comprisesa central section, a first connector connected to the elastic support,and a second connector connected to the carabiner assembly. A eleventhexample of the hose hanger, optionally including one or more of theprevious examples, further includes where the carabiner assemblycomprises a carabiner and a ring connected to the carabiner, wherein thecarabiner assembly connector is connected to the ring. A twelfth exampleof the hose hanger, optionally including one or more of the previousexamples, further includes where the hose hanger maintains an air brakehose of a vehicle at a predetermined height above a supporting road bedstructure.

The disclosure further provides support for a hose hanger including anattachment clip, an elastic support made from a stretchable vulcanizedrubber and connected to the attachment clip with a material propertytensile strength greater than 4 kilopound per square inch (KSI), acarabiner assembly; and a carabiner assembly connector connected to theelastic support, connected to the carabiner assembly, and connecting theelastic support and the carabiner assembly, the carabiner assemblyconnector including a substantially inelastic elongated flexible member,wherein the elongated flexible member includes: a central section: afirst connector connected to the elastic support; and a second connectorconnected to the carabiner assembly. A first example of the hose hangerfurther includes where the elongated flexible member is comprised of anelongated flexible polyester web strap. A second example of the hosehanger, optionally including the first example, further includes wherethe elongated flexible member includes a first portion, a secondportion, a third portion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion, whereinthe fourth portion is attached to the elastic support and the secondportion is attached to the carabiner assembly, and wherein the first,third, and fourth portions are attached together by a plurality offasteners. A third example of the hose hanger, optionally including oneor more of the previous examples, further includes where the carabinerassembly is comprised of a carabiner and a ring connected to thecarabiner, and wherein the carabiner assembly connector is connected tothe ring. A fourth example of the hose hanger, optionally including oneor more of the previous examples, further includes where the hose hangermaintains an air brake hose of a vehicle at a predetermined height abovea supporting road bed structure.

The disclosure further provides support for a system including a hosehanger having an attachment clip, an elastic support comprising astretchable vulcanized rubber and with a material property tensilestrength greater than 4 kilopound per square inch (KSI), the elasticsupport connected to the attachment clip, wherein the attachment clipextends through one of a plurality of openings of the elastic support, acarabiner assembly, and a carabiner assembly connector connected to theelastic support, connected to the carabiner assembly, and connecting theelastic support and the carabiner assembly, the carabiner assemblyconnector including a substantially inelastic elongated flexible member,wherein the elongated flexible member includes: a central section: afirst connector connected to the elastic support; and a second connectorconnected to the carabiner assembly. A first example of the systemfurther includes where the hose hanger extends from a glad handconnector to an air brake hose support, wherein the carabiner extendsthrough the glad hand connector and the attachment clip extends throughthe air brake hose support, the system further comprising a hose hangingfrom the hose hanger.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,”“including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having aparticular property may include additional such elements not having thatproperty. The terms “including” and “in which” are used as theplain-language equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. areused merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numericalrequirements or a particular positional order on their objects.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skillin the relevant art to practice the invention, including making andusing any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods.The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims ifthey have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if they include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

1. A rail hose hanger comprising: an elastomeric support configured tobe connectable at a first end to a coupler of a railroad car and at asecond end to a glad hand of an air hose of the railroad car, theelastomeric support being a high strength elastomer material with amaterial property tensile strength greater than about 6 kilopound persquare inch (KSI), wherein the elastomeric support is configured tosupport the air hose of the railroad car when so connected.
 2. The railhose hanger of claim 1, further comprising an attachment clip, whereinthe high strength elastomer material is connected to the attachmentclip, a carabiner assembly, and a carabiner assembly connector connectedto the high strength elastomer material and the carabiner assembly,wherein the elastic support includes: a first section; a second sectionintegrally connected to the first section, and a third sectionintegrally connected to the second section, and wherein the elasticsupport is uniform in width.
 3. The rail hose hanger of claim 2, whereinthe first section includes a plurality of inner surfaces that define aplurality of openings.
 4. The rail hose hanger of claim 3, wherein theplurality of openings is configured to receive an arm of the attachmentclip, and wherein the plurality of openings is arranged at differentpositions along the first section.
 5. The rail hose hanger of claim 2,wherein the second section is a transition section that is uniform inheight from the first section toward and to the third section, whereinthe third section includes an inner surface that defines an openingconfigured to receive part of the carabiner assembly connector.
 6. Therail hose hanger of claim 2, wherein the high strength elastomermaterial comprises a stretchable vulcanized rubber, and wherein theelastic support exhibits a maximum load failure of greater than 300 lbs,according to AAR Standard S-4006.
 7. The rail hose hanger of claim 1,wherein the high strength elastomer material has a material propertyelongation percent at break of greater than about
 650. 8. The rail hosehanger of claim 7, wherein the material property elongation percent atbreak is greater than
 710. 9. The rail hose hanger of claim 7, thematerial property tensile strength is greater than 5.980 kilopound persquare inch (KSI).
 10. The rail hose hanger of claim 7, wherein thematerial property elongation percent at break is greater than
 640. 11.The rail hose hanger of claim 7, wherein the elongated flexible membercomprises a central section, a first connector connected to the elasticsupport, and a second connector connected to the carabiner assembly. 12.A rail hose hanger comprising: an elastomeric support configured to beconnectable at a first end to a coupler of a railroad car and at asecond end to a glad hand of an air hose of the railroad car, theelastomeric support being a high strength elastomer material with amaterial property tensile strength greater than 5.980 kilopound persquare inch (KSI) and a material property elongation percent at break ofgreater than 640, wherein the elastomeric support is configured tosupport the air hose of the railroad car when so connected.
 13. The railhose hanger of claim 12, further comprising an attachment clip, whereinthe high strength elastomer material is connected to the attachmentclip, a carabiner assembly, and a carabiner assembly connector connectedto the high strength elastomer material and the carabiner assembly,wherein the elastic support includes: a first section; a second sectionintegrally connected to the first section, and a third sectionintegrally connected to the second section, and wherein the elasticsupport is uniform in width.
 14. The rail hose hanger of claim 13,wherein the first section includes a plurality of inner surfaces thatdefine a plurality of openings.
 15. The rail hose hanger of claim 14,wherein the plurality of openings is configured to receive an arm of theattachment clip, and wherein the plurality of openings is arranged atdifferent positions along the first section.
 16. The rail hose hanger ofclaim 12, wherein the second section is a transition section that isuniform in height from the first section toward and to the thirdsection, wherein the third section includes an inner surface thatdefines an opening configured to receive part of the carabiner assemblyconnector.
 17. The rail hose hanger of claim 12, wherein the highstrength elastomer material comprises a stretchable vulcanized rubber,and wherein the elastic support exhibits a maximum load failure ofgreater than 300 lbs, according to AAR Standard S-4006.
 18. The railhose hanger of claim 12, wherein the elongated flexible member comprisesa central section, a first connector connected to the elastic support,and a second connector connected to the carabiner assembly.
 19. The railhose hanger of claim 12, further comprising an attachment clip, whereinthe high strength elastomer material is connected to the attachmentclip, a carabiner assembly, and a carabiner assembly connector connectedto the high strength elastomer material and the carabiner assembly,wherein the elastic support includes: a first section; a second sectionintegrally connected to the first section, and a third sectionintegrally connected to the second section, and wherein the elasticsupport is uniform in width, wherein the carabiner assembly connectorincludes an elongated flexible member.